Trampoline with full enclosure system

ABSTRACT

A trampoline has a safety net enclosure where the net assembly can be attached to the trampoline frame without the need for separate fasteners, such as bolts and nuts. The trampoline and safety net system uses an inwardly curved net and outwardly curved net poles that support the net. Sleeves are formed about an outer periphery of a top portion of the net. The sleeves are configured to slide over the top ends of the net poles. A strap extending from the sleeve can be wrapped around the net pole to prevent the sleeves from sliding off the top of the net poles. The net poles can be fixed onto brackets previously attached to the legs. The net poles can attach via, for example, a push pin system, where a pin in the net pole fits into an opening in the bracket to secure the net pole to the bracket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

One or more embodiments of the invention relates generally to trampolines and trampoline enclosures. More particularly, the invention relates to a trampoline having a unique top ring design, an inward curved net and a welding and push-pin technology that permits the net to be easily attached to the trampoline without the need for additional parts, such as brackets, bolts, nuts, braces, washers or the like.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

Trampolines have become a popular backyard play and exercise device. However, as their popularity increased, the need for trampolines that include safety features has arisen. To answer this need, safety nets have been developed that can surround the trampoline and keep users from falling off the trampoline during use. However, quality and functionality of these safety nets vary greatly. Some conventional nets simply surround the trampoline, allowing the user to fall between the springs, for example. Other nets extend from the edge of the mat, preventing users from contacting the springs during use.

Safety nets are typically held in place by a plurality of supporting members, typically referred to as enclosure poles, usually metal tubular members that attach directly to the ground or to the frame of the trampoline. These metal tubular members often run close to the netting, where, if a user jumps toward the netting, they may flex the netting and make contact with the metal tubular framing that supports the safety netting.

The safety nets that attach to the frame of the trampoline can be cumbersome to set up, where the user often has to mount brackets or other such connectors, using a plurality of screws, bolts, nuts, washers and the like. This creates additional parts that are necessary for the construction of the trampoline and net which could easily be lost, especially considering that such products are often assembled outside, typically on a lawn or another similar surface.

Finally, safety nets take considerable time to set up, often requiring more than one person for set up and assembly.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved trampoline and safety net system that addresses many of the issues presented by current trampoline and safety net designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a trampoline comprising a trampoline mat attached to a frame; legs supporting the frame; brackets attached to the legs; enclosure poles removably attached to the brackets without external fasteners; and a net supported by a top portion of the enclosure poles.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a trampoline safety structure comprising a plurality of enclosure poles extending upward from a frame of a trampoline; and a net supported by a top portion of each of the plurality of enclosure poles, wherein each of the plurality of enclosure poles curve outward, away from the net; and the net curves inward, away from the plurality of enclosure poles.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a trampoline comprising a trampoline mat attached to a frame; legs supporting the frame; brackets attached to the legs; enclosure poles removably attached to the brackets without external fasteners; a net supported by a top portion of the enclosure poles; and a plurality of sleeves attached alone a top ring of the net, wherein each of the plurality of sleeves fits over distal ends, relative to the brackets, of the enclosure poles, wherein the enclosure poles curve outward, away from the trampoline mat, as they extend upward from the brackets, away from the trampoline mat; the net curves inward, away from the enclosure poles.

In some embodiments, the trampoline further includes a strap extending from each of the plurality of sleeves, the strap removably securable about the enclosure poles.

In some embodiments, one of the brackets is attached to each of the legs and an enclosure pole extends from each of the brackets.

In some embodiments, one of the enclosure pole and the bracket includes a resiliently protruding pin and the other of the enclosure pole and the bracket includes a hole receiving the resiliently protruding pin when the enclosure pole is engaged with the bracket.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates top perspective view of a trampoline and safety net system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the trampoline and safety net system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the trampoline and safety net system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the trampoline and safety net system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view taken along inset V of FIG. 1, showing a net retention sleeve fitted to a top of a net pole, where the sleeve is secured with a strap, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates a detailed view taken along insert VI of FIG. 1, showing a welded bracket on the leg of the trampoline frame, where the net pole fits therein and locks with a pin and hole configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates an exploded view of the trampoline leg, welded bracket and net pole assembly shown assembled in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a trampoline and safety net system utilizing features of the trampoline and safety net system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a trampoline and safety net system utilizing features of the trampoline and safety net system of FIG. 1.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a trampoline having a safety net enclosure where the net assembly can be attached to the trampoline frame without the need for separate fasteners, such as bolts and nuts. The trampoline and safety net system uses an inwardly curved net and outwardly curved net poles that support the net. Sleeves are formed about an outer periphery of a top portion of the net. The sleeves are configured to slide over the top ends of the net poles. In some embodiments, a strap extending from the sleeve can be wrapped around the net pole to prevent the sleeves from sliding off the top of the net poles. The net poles can be fixed onto brackets previously attached to the legs. The net poles can attach via, for example, a push pin system, where a pin in the net pole fits into an opening in the bracket to secure the net pole to the bracket.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a trampoline and safety net system 10, also referred to simply as trampoline 10, can include a trampoline mat 12 attached to a frame 14 by a plurality of springs 16. A plurality of legs 18 can support the frame 14 above the ground. The legs 18 can take various forms, including various shapes, sizes and designs, as may be contemplated by one of skill in the art. In some embodiments, the legs 18 may be formed in a W-shape, where each W-shape leg assembly includes two legs 18 extending from the frame 14 and terminating with a ground contacting portion 20. The two ground contacting portions 20 of the W-shaped leg assembly can be connected by a curved connector 22 that runs close to the ground, but curves slightly upward, away from the ground. In some embodiments, twelve legs 18 (six W-shaped leg assemblies) may be used to support the frame 14. Of course, other numbers of legs may be used to support the frame 14, depending on, for example, the size of the frame 14, user needs, and the like.

A plurality of net frame members 24, also referred to as enclosure poles 24, can extend from the legs 18, adjacent to a location where the legs 18 connect to the frame 14. The enclosure poles 24, when assembled to the trampoline 10, can extend upward, away from the trampoline mat 12. In some embodiments, a padding may be disposed over the enclosure poles 24. This padding may be, for example, a foam having an outer film disposed there over.

In some embodiments, the enclosure poles 24 are curved outward, away from the trampoline mat 12, as shown in the Figures. The enclosure poles 24 may be removably attached to the legs 18 by various methods, such as via a push pin—bracket assembly as described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, each of the legs 18 may include an enclosure pole 24 extending therefrom. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, twelve enclosure poles 24 may extend from each of the twelve legs 18. In the embodiment of a trampoline 70 shown in FIG. 7, eight enclosure poles 24A may extend from each of the eight legs 18A, to attach a net 26A to the top of each of the enclosure poles 24A via a plurality of sleeves 38A.

A net 26 may attach near or at a top portion of the enclosure poles 24 and extend downward to attach to an outer periphery 32 of the trampoline mat 12. The net 26 can attach to the outer periphery 32 of the trampoline mat 12 by various means, as may be known in the art, such as via a strap (not shown) that is threaded between the bottom of the net 26 and the outer periphery 32 of the trampoline mat 32.

The net 26 may include a plurality of sleeves 38 attached to the net 26 along a top ring 30 thereof. The sleeves 38 may be hollow, tubular members having one open end and one closed end. The interior size and shape of the sleeves 38 may be configured so that the sleeves 38 can fit over the ends of the enclosure poles 24, thereby supporting the top ring 30 of the net 26 at the ends of the enclosure poles 24, above the trampoline mat 12.

As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the sleeves 38 may include a strap assembly 40, where a strap 44 extends from an open end of the sleeve 38. A closable loop 46 may be disposed at a distal end (relative to the sleeve 38) of the strap 44, where the closable loop 46 is configured to wrap around the enclosure pole 24. In some embodiments, the closable loop 46 may be formed form a hook and loop material, although other fasteners may be used within the scope of the present invention. The closable loop 46 may be used to prevent inadvertent removal of the sleeve 38 from the enclosure pole 24. In some embodiments, the closable loop 46 may be threaded through an eyelet (not shown), or other similar structure, formed in the enclosure pole 24 so that the sleeve 38 cannot be slid off the enclosure pole 24 without first disconnecting the closable loop 46.

In some embodiments, the net 26 is configured to curve inward, toward the trampoline mat 12 and away from the enclosure poles 24. In some embodiments, the net 26 may be formed in sections, attached at a seam 28, where the seam 28 terminates at the top ring 30 at a location where the sleeves 38 are attached. The net 26 may be made from various materials as known in the art. In some embodiments, the net 26 may be made from a material comprising polyethylene.

A closable opening 42 may be disposed in the net 26 to permit users to access the trampoline mat 12. In some embodiments, the closable opening 42 may be a zippered opening, although other fasteners may be used to create the closable opening 42. While the Figures show the closable opening 42 in one section of the net 26, multiple closable openings 42 may be disposed in the net 26, as may be desired by the user.

A spring cover 36 may extend from the outer periphery 32 of the trampoline mat 12 to the outside of the frame 14 of the trampoline 10. The spring cover 36 may be disposed to cover all of the springs 16 of the trampoline from access from above, as shown in FIG. 1. The spring cover 36 may be formed from various materials, as known in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 6A and 6B, a bracket 34 may be attached to the leg 18 and may extend outwardly therefrom. The bracket 34 can include an opening into which an end 62 of the enclosure pole 24 fits thereinto. The bracket 34 may be permanently attached to the leg 18 by various mechanisms. In some embodiments, the bracket 34 is welded to the leg 18 via a weld 60 as shown in FIG. 6A. In other embodiments, the bracket 34 may be permanently attached to the leg 18 with a fastener, such as a bolt, for example. In yet other embodiments, the bracket 34 may be formed integrally with the leg 18.

Once the enclosure pole 24 is inserted into the bracket 34, a pin 64 on the end 62 of the enclosure pole 24 may be resiliently depressed until it finds a corresponding hole 66 in the bracket 34. Once the pin 66 is aligned with the hole 66, the pin 64 extends outward through the hole 66 to retain the enclosure pole 24 in the bracket 34. Of course, other connection mechanisms may be contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, the enclosure pole 24 could include one or more resiliently depressible balls that fit into interior protrusions on the interior of the bracket 34, in other embodiments, the enclosure pole 24 may simply frictionally fit into the bracket 34.

While the above describes, and FIGS. 6A and 6B show the enclosure pole 24 fitting into the bracket 34, the connection may be formed in the opposite manner, were the enclosure pole 24 fits over the bracket 34. Regardless of the method of connection, it is understood that the enclosure pole 24 engages the bracket 34 without the use of additional fasteners, such as screws, bolts, nuts, washers or the like. In other words, hand tools are not needed for assembly of the trampoline 10.

In the embodiment of trampoline 80 shown in FIG. 8, six enclosure poles 24B may extend from every other leg 18B (one enclosure pole 24B for each W-shaped leg assembly), for example. A net 26B may attach to ends of the enclosure pole 24B via sleeves 38B and a strap assembly 40B as described above. The net 26B may include a seam 28B for each of the enclosure poles 24B. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, this would result in a net 26B with six seams 28B. A bracket 34B may be used, similar to bracket 34 described above, to secure the enclosure poles 24B to every other leg 18B.

While the Figures show two specific trampoline designs, other trampoline designs may utilize one or more features of the present invention. Each of the features of the present invention may be used in different embodiments, alone, or combined with other features of the present invention. These features include an inward curved net, sleeves on the top of the net to attach to the enclosure poles, outwardly curved enclosure poles, and enclosure poles that attach to the trampoline frame without the use of additional, external fasteners.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A trampoline comprising: a trampoline mat attached to a frame; legs supporting the frame; brackets attached to the legs; enclosure poles removably attached to the brackets without external fasteners; and a net supported by a top portion of the enclosure poles.
 2. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the enclosure poles curve outward, away from the trampoline mat, as they extend upward from the brackets, away from the trampoline mat.
 3. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the net curves inward, away from the enclosure poles.
 4. The trampoline of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sleeves attached alone a top ring of the net, wherein each of the plurality of sleeves fits over distal ends, relative to the brackets, of the enclosure poles.
 5. The trampoline of claim 4, further comprising a strap extending from each of the plurality of sleeves, the strap removably securable about the enclosure poles.
 6. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein one of the brackets is attached to each of the legs and one enclosure pole extends from each of the brackets.
 7. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein one enclosure pole extends from every other one of the legs.
 8. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein one of the enclosure pole and the bracket includes a resiliently protruding pin and the other of the enclosure pole and the bracket includes a hole receiving the resiliently protruding pin when the enclosure pole is engaged with the bracket.
 9. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the brackets are welded to the legs.
 10. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the legs are formed as W-shaped members, wherein two brackets are disposed on each W-shaped member.
 11. A trampoline safety structure comprising: a plurality of enclosure poles extending upward from a frame of a trampoline; and a net supported by a top portion of each of the plurality of enclosure poles, wherein each of the plurality of enclosure poles curve outward, away from the net; and the net curves inward, away from the plurality of enclosure poles.
 12. The trampoline safety structure of claim 11, wherein the plurality of enclosure poles removably attach to brackets affixed to legs of the trampoline without external fasteners.
 13. The trampoline safety structure of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of sleeves attached alone a top ring of the net, wherein each of the plurality of sleeves fits over distal ends, relative to the frame, of the enclosure poles.
 14. The trampoline safety structure of claim 11, further comprising a strap extending from each of the plurality of sleeves, the strap removably securable about the enclosure poles.
 15. The trampoline safety structure of claim 12, wherein one of the brackets is attached to each of the legs and an enclosure pole extends from each of the brackets.
 16. The trampoline safety structure of claim 12, wherein one of the enclosure pole and the bracket includes a resiliently protruding pin and the other of the enclosure pole and the bracket includes a hole receiving the resiliently protruding pin when the enclosure pole is engaged with the bracket.
 17. A trampoline comprising: a trampoline mat attached to a frame; legs supporting the frame; brackets attached to the legs; enclosure poles removably attached to the brackets without external fasteners; a net supported by a top portion of the enclosure poles; and a plurality of sleeves attached alone a top ring of the net, wherein each of the plurality of sleeves fits over distal ends, relative to the brackets, of the enclosure poles, wherein the enclosure poles curve outward, away from the trampoline mat, as they extend upward from the brackets, away from the trampoline mat; the net curves inward, away from the enclosure poles.
 18. The trampoline of claim 17, further comprising a strap extending from each of the plurality of sleeves, the strap removably securable about the enclosure poles.
 19. The trampoline of claim 17, wherein one of the brackets is attached to each of the legs and an enclosure pole extends from each of the brackets.
 20. The trampoline of claim 17, wherein one of the enclosure pole and the bracket includes a resiliently protruding pin and the other of the enclosure pole and the bracket includes a hole receiving the resiliently protruding pin when the enclosure pole is engaged with the bracket. 